What a gift for my final night in Arillas! The news at lunch time was that it would be cancelled because of poor weather, but thankfully it wasn't. I arrived about 9ish and parked up at the Night Owl. It all took place at the junction where you fork left to Agios Giorgos.
It was quite magical walking down and seeing all the little lights in the olive trees and hearing the music. Loads of people there sitting at tables drinking and chatting. It was clearly an occasion - many people seemed very smartly dressed and I was thankful I had abandoned my crocs for the evening! I arrived as the children were dancing. I recognised Yannis and Panayottis (Rainbow children of Jimmy and Vicky). This was fascinating - they are both quite mischievous lads usually but were taking the dancing really seriously and their parents should be proud of them - they were dressed in black trousers, white shirts and red neckerchiefs and all the children did very well. Then the adults came on....Litsa (Brouklis) was dancing, all in national costume, and I have to say she is the most beautiful dancer.
After this, the music went on and I found it incredibly moving to see many of the local villagers joining in. They clearly take great pride in their dancing. Nafsika from the Rainbow danced with her granddaughter Raphaela, Nick from Night Owl danced with his boys. Best of all were some really quite elderly folk who joined in the dancing....although perhaps not as nimble as in the past, I had tears in my eyes to see the huge pride and joy they had in all the traditional dances.
Added to that the party atmosphere and of course the souvlaki and lamb. I'm so glad I was there - thank you Afionas. Highly recommended to anyone going to Arillas around that time in June. SharonF went up in a bus organised by Olga but I'm sure she will report when she gets back.